Bracelet charm with alignment

ABSTRACT

A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. One or more charms can be included with the links to add additional aesthetic options.

BACKGROUND

Kits that include materials for making a uniquely colored bracelet or necklace have always enjoyed some popularity. However, such kits usually just include the raw materials such as different colored threads and beads and rely on the individual's skill and talent to construct a usable and desirable item.

SUMMARY

A Brunnian link is a link formed from a closed loop doubled over itself to capture another closed loop to form a chain. Elastic bands can be utilized to form such links. An example disclosed charm can be linked into a series of such elastic bands. The example disclosed charm includes at least one alignment feature for aligning adjacent charms.

Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.

These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example charm linked into an example bracelet formed of linked elastic bands.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of example charm linked into the example elastic bands.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example charm embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an example charm embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an example charm embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view of several adjacent example charms.

FIG. 7 is a front view of another example charm embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of another example charm embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of another example charm embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example linked item is schematically shown at 10 and is formed from a plurality of elastic bands using a Brunnian link 12. A Brunnian link is formed between two continuous looped structures such as elastic bands 14 without forming an actual knot. Several elastic bands 14 are linked together with a Brunnian link 12 to form a chain 16. The chain 16 can be fashioned to form a linked article such as the bracelet 10. The ends of the series of elastic bands links are then secured together or with a clip 18 to complete a durable wearable item 10.

Each Brunnian link 12 is formed by capturing ends 20 of one elastic band 14 with a mid-portion 22 of another elastic band 14. Each link 12 depends on the previous and subsequent links 12 to maintain the desired linked article as shown. Although a bracelet 10 is shown by way of example, other articles can be formed utilizing different Brunnian link structures and are within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure.

The example bracelet 10 includes charms 24 that are assembled into the links 12 to provide an additional aesthetic variation to the completed bracelet. In this example, four charms 24 are secured within in links 12 between a single row of elastic bands 14, however, other numbers, spacing and orientations of the example charms 24 are possible and within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the example charm 24 include a charm portion 26 and a mount portion 28 with a mount opening 32. The mount opening 32 is interlinked with the elastic bands 14 to hold the charm 24 within the linked item 10. The mount portion includes a diameter 35 (FIG. 4) that corresponds with features of a loom or other device utilized for forming Brunnian links. The size of the opening 32 is such that at least one link 12 including the ends 20 and mid-portion 22 of elastic bands 14 may fit within as is shown in FIG. 2. Moreover, the size of the opening 32 is also such that the charms 24 will maintain a desired orientation on the completed linked item 10.

The charm portion 26 is a decorative symbol, character, letter, number, or any other decorative feature. In this example, the charm portion 26 is a smiley face, however other symbols and shapes are possible within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure. For example, a combination of letters spelling a name, location or word could be formed by combining the proper characters in an adjacent manner within the linked item.

The example mount portion 30 includes a first side 38 and a second side 40. In the disclosed example embodiment, the sides 38, 40 are flat and parallel to each other. The flat sides 38, 40 enable adjacent charms 24 to be orientated relative to each other in an aligned manner as is shown in FIG. 2. The flat sides 38, 40 are parallel to each other and spaced a distance 46 apart. In this example, the charm portion 26 includes a width 48 that is smaller than the distance 46 of the mount portion 28. The smaller width 48 of the charm portion 26 enables a spacing between the adjacent charm portions 26 while the mount portions 28 abut at the sides 38, 40.

The example mount opening 32 includes flat portions 37 that substantially follow the outer periphery of the mount portion 28. In this example, the mount portion 28 includes the flat sides 38, 40 with a rounded top and bottom sides 34, 36.

A length 45 of each of the flat sides 38, 40 is equal in this example. Moreover, the length 45 of the flat sides 38, 40 could be longer or shorter than the entire mount portion 28. The length 45 is provided for the flat sides 38, 40 to align adjacent charms 24 and may be different sizes that provide the alignment function.

The example charm 24 is a one piece integral structure formed of an elastic material. The charm 24 includes a thickness 44 that is provided to enable durability and a width of the flat sides 38, 40. The width 44 of the flat sides 38, 40 is provided to provide sufficient contact area between adjacent charms 24 to provide the desired alignment. A front face 42 and back face 43 are substantially identical for the example charm 24. However, other charm portion 26 shapes and sizes may have different shapes, sizes and textures for the front and back faces 42, 43 depending on the specific shape of the charm portion 26.

Referring to FIG. 6, three example charms 24A, 24B and 24C are shown abutted against each other such that charm portions 26A, 26B and 26C all remain in a desired orientation and alignment relative to each other. The alignment portions of each of the charms 24A, 24B and 24C are the side walls 38, 40. The side walls 38, 40 of each adjacent charm 24A, 24B and 24C contact each other to provide an even spacing between the charm portions 26A, 26B and 26C. In this example, a side wall 38A of the first charm 24A abuts the sidewall 40B of the second charm 24B. A second wall 38B of the second charm 24B abuts the side wall 40C of the third charm 24C. The abutting contact maintains the charm position and orientation relative to each other. The size of the mount portions 28A-C relative to the charm portions 26A-C maintains the spacing 90 between charms 26A-C.

The charms 24A-C are aligned matter to prevent rotation about a point 94 as is indicated by arrows 92. The side walls 38, 40 abut each other such that the charms 26A-C do not rotate about each respective point 94 relative to an adjacent charm. Moreover, the thickness 44 (FIG. 5) of each of the charms 24A, 24B and 24C accommodates some misalignment between the charms 26A-C to prevent overlap.

It should be appreciated, that the example walls 38, 40 are disclosed as continuous straight and flat sides. However, the example walls 38, 40 may be shorter, segmented, or disposed at an angle to provide different aligned orientations. Moreover, other alignment structures that enable setting of a desired relative orientation are within the scope and contemplation of this disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 7, another charm 50 is shown that includes a mount portion 54 with flat sides and a charm portion 52. The mount portion 54 includes a mount opening 56 with that includes a circular inside surface indicated at 58. The circular inside surface 58 does not follow the outline of the outer sides of the mount portion. Instead, the mount opening 56 provides a continuous circular opening. It should be appreciated, that other configurations and shapes of the mount portion and mount opening could be utilized and are within the contemplation and scope of this disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, another charm 60 includes a mount portion 65 and a charm portion 70. The mount portion 65 includes a mount opening 72 and sides 66 and 68. The sides 66, 68 provide for alignment by abutting an adjacent charm as shown and described in FIG. 6. In the example charm 60 shown in FIG. 8, the sides 66 and 68 are disposed at an angle 64 relative to a center longitudinal axis 62. The angle 64 provides for an angular alignment with an adjacent charm. The angle 64 may range from just a few degrees to around 75 degrees. The disclosed example angle 64 is approximately 60 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 9, another example charm 74 includes mount portion 78 and charm portion 76. The mount portion 78 includes flat sides 82 and 84 and a curved top side 80. A circular mount opening 72 is provided to receive elastic bands. The top curved surface 80 represents another embodiment of the mount portion 78 that maintains the straight flat sides 82, 84 to maintain the desired orientation with a different shape to provide a different aesthetic.

As is appreciated, the disclosed charms 24, 50, 60 and 74 are examples of shapes that are possible within the contemplation of this disclosure. Each charm embodiment includes a charm portion, mount portion and an alignment portion to provide a desired orientation with an adjacent charm. The specific configuration and shape may vary to provide different desired looks when interwoven into a completed linked item. Moreover, the material may also vary in color and texture. The charm 24 may be formed from elastic material to provide a flexible part similar to the elastic bands. The charm 24 may also be formed of a rigid material such as plastic or metal. Moreover, while the disclosed example charms 24, 50, 60 and 74 are all integral one piece parts, it is also within the contemplation of this disclosure that the charms could be formed as a mulita-piece assembly.

Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, no part of this disclosure is intended, either explicitly or implicitly, as any disclaimer or narrowing of claim scope. The description of any one embodiment is not intended, either explicitly or implicitly, as limiting the plain and ordinary meaning set out in the following claims. The example embodiment is only one of many possible structures and methods that are properly within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should be studied to determine the scope and content of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A charm comprising: a charm portion; and a mount portion, the mount portion including a mount opening and at least one alignment portion for aligning the charm portion with a charm portion of an adjacent charm.
 2. The charm as recited in claim 1, wherein the alignment portion is disposed on at least one side of the mount portion.
 3. The charm as recited in claim 2, wherein the alignment portion comprises a flat surface.
 4. The charm as recited in claim 3, wherein the flat surface is perpendicular to a front face of the mount portion.
 5. The charm as recited in claim 1, wherein the mount portion comprises a first side spaced apart from a second side and the alignment portion comprises a first flat surface on the first side and a second flat surface on the second side.
 6. The charm as recited in claim 5, wherein the first flat surface and the second flat surface are substantially parallel to each other.
 7. The charm as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the first flat surface and the second flat surface is angled relative to each other.
 8. The charm as recited in claim 5, wherein the mount portion includes a mount width between the first flat side and the second flat side and the charm portion includes a charm width that is smaller than the mount width.
 9. The charm as recited in claim 1, wherein the mount portion and the charm portion are of a common thickness.
 10. The charm as recited in claim 1, wherein the mount opening includes straight sides and curvilinear top and bottom sides.
 11. The charm as recited in claim 1, wherein the mount opening comprises a circle.
 12. The charm as recited in claim 1, wherein the charm comprises a single continuous integrated part.
 13. A linked item including a charm comprising: a plurality of linked elastic bands; and at least two charms linked into the plurality of elastic bands adjacent to each other, wherein each of the at least two charms includes a charm portion and a mount portion, the mount portion including a mount opening for receiving at least one of the plurality of elastic bands and at least one alignment portion for aligning the charm portion of one that at least two charms with another of the at least two charms linked into the plurality of elastic bands.
 14. The linked item as recited in claim 13, wherein the alignment portion comprises a flat surface on at least one side of the mount portion.
 15. The linked item as recited in claim 13, wherein the alignment portion comprises flat surfaces on each side of the mount portion that are substantially parallel to each other.
 16. The linked item as recited in claim 13, wherein the mount portion is of a first width between first and second sides and the charm is of a second width that is less than the first width. 